1956 Johnson 15 - Starting problem..

[vdubman]

I just got a very nice 1956 15 on ebay. She is clean and neat. All parts intact. When I try to start her al I get is an occasional backfire using starter fluid, and thats all. I checked the carb for large gunk and found none, but I'm not sure fuel is arriving. Spark is fine. A couple questions..<br />1. Can this be a tining issue?<br />2. How good are these models?<br />3. After yanking my arm off, can I expect to ever have it running dependably on a pull or two?<br />Any guidance would be appreciated. Plans are in the works to tune and reimpell.

 

[dkondelik]

Re: 1956 Johnson 15 - Starting problem..

'mornin' vdubman,<br /><br />first,....never,I repeat NEVER use starting fluid on a 2-stroke. it washes all of the lube out of the innerds. your gonna burn her up. instead, mix up some 24:1 (suggested fuel/oil ration for this motor) 2-stroke mix in a spray bottle and use it instead.<br /><br />K?<br /><br />yup, these ol' girls are gems AND plenty-o-parts are still available. simple ignition electronics. two identical sets of points, coils, condecers are under the fly-wheel. you'll need a 3-point, bolt-on (1/4"diameter x 20(?)thread/inch bolts) style of gear or stearing-wheel puller to get the fly-wheel off.<br /><br />you've got to remove and completely service the carb.<br /><br />here's a couple of links that I think will help you alot. The second is a long load, first page of several.<br /><br /> http://www.precisionserv.com/Outboards/Revitalization.htm <br /> http://www.maxrules.com/fixtuneitup.html <br /><br />Good Luck<br />HAVE FUN!<br /><br />P.S. it will prove very beneficial to get a service manual. there's a link at the lower left hand corner of this page for aftermarket (Seloc &/or Clymer)

 

[vdubman]

Re: 1956 Johnson 15 - Starting problem..

Thanks klondike!<br />'Gotcha' on ths starting fluid. I will do as you suggest.<br />I have ordered the seloc manual as well as another.. <br />The carb is the first thing I will do. Is there a way to 'time' these units? Actually I want to check the timing if I can. Can you do it statically?

 

[dkondelik]

Re: 1956 Johnson 15 - Starting problem..

timing is "fixed" to timing base/stator plate. opening the throttle by moving the throttle lever actually advances the timing. throttle lever is attached to timing base. the timer base has a "cam" that open the throttle on the carb. about the only ways that the timiing can be off are:<br /><br />1- the woodruf key,locating the flywheel on the crank shaft is damaged, resulting in flywheel having slipped (magnets in fly-wheel excite the coils)<br /><br />2- the plug wires are reversed. the #1 plug wire (to top cylinder) usually has a band on it near the plug boot.<br /><br />you'll want to pull the fly wheel. check the coils. if they are original, they're probably cracked and and will NEED to be replaced. <br /><br />then check/replace plug wires -use metal core wires, carbon fiber has to much resistance